Plans for a new 11 million pound maternity unit in Barrow will go before the NHS trust's board today. It follows recommendations made in the wake of deaths of mothers and babies at Furness General Hospital. If approved the site will have dedicated birthing suites and operating theatres.

Two midwives who worked at a maternity unit dubbed "seriously dysfunctional" face being struck off after the death of a baby boy.

Catherine McCullough and Gretta Dixon will face a NMC disciplinary hearing will over their treatment of Hoa Titcombe, wife of James Titcombe and mother of Joshua, who died days after his birth at Furness General in Barrow.

Last year an independent report found a "lethal mix" of failings led to the unnecessary deaths of one mother and 11 babies in the maternity unit at Furness.